Wallasey Athletic Club members were well to the fore in the Cheshire Championships held at Sale last Saturday. And while the club had a large number of male competitors, the women's
section proved that they were by no means to be discounted.
Although there were only two runners in the women's 880 yards, Barbara Banks ran extremely well to win the title in 2 mins. 40.3 secs.
The senior women's long jump title was also won by a Wallasey club member, Phyllis Edwards, who jumped a distance of 17 ft. 5¼ ins.
In the youths' one mile there were three Wallasey competitors, Johnny Jones, Dave Lockley and Les Watcham. Johnny set the pace for most of the distance with Dave close behind him, but Lunt from Sale managed to split them when crossing the line with the result that Dave Lockley took the championship in a time of 4 mins. 43 secs., with Johnny Jones in third place in a time of 4 mins. 45 secs. Both these were fine performances, and while Les Watcham did not finish in the placings he too ran a very gallant race.
Although John Morley had not done a great deal of training he succeeded in leading until the last few yards in the senior 440 yards but broke the tape together with Condliffe of Blackpool Technical College, the result being decided in Condliffe's favour,
The junior 440 yards also gave Wallasey a second place, with Ian Wilson running a slow first 220 yards but coming back over the second half of the race to take second position in a time of 55.9.
Mike McNamee held back in the junior 880 yards but ran a fine last lap to pull up to third place, this making Wallasey's seventh placing in the championships. In the senior mile, Barrie
Smith held the leaders until the final bend, but was finally beaten into fourth place by Bennett of Wirral Athletic Club.
Other competitors from Wallasey Athletic Club who competed will but did not finish in the placings were Doug Hanna, Mike Teahan and Yvonne Broomhead.
On Wednesday, May 18th, in a meeting held at Manchester between Liverpool & District v. Manchester and District v. Manchester University, John Morley (Wallasey Athletic Club) was invited to run for the Liverpool & District team and in a very exciting senior 440 yards won in a time of 53.1 secs. The times at this meeting were slow on a very heavy track.
It is hoped that weather conditions are favourable today as time trials are being held at Lingham Park over two miles, when the distance runners are expected to show their potential for the coming track season.
Liverpool Parks and Gardens Inter-Club Championships are being held at Wavertree Playground next Tuesday and with the assistance of the club's relay teams, Wallasey hope to return with more honours.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 28/05/1966 by YELROM
Ref 1395